Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Friendship

Friendship is one of those relationships that although we
all experience it, everyone has their own definition and understanding of
it. Interestingly enough, the dictionary
defines the word by using the term “friend”, which in and of itself brings to
mind again, many different feelings and descriptions. The term is used to characterize a common
bond that people share, one of concern and compassion for another human being.
People are drawn into friendships by a sense of kinship, camaraderie and
sameness but build lasting bonds based more on life experiences, interactions
and, to a degree, attractiveness.

My mother often said,
“Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.” I
believe this is truly the heart of the term – we surround ourselves with like
people or people with those qualities that we hope will rub off, those that we
ourselves would like to emulate. Our
friends help support us, yes, but they also help define us. They shape the very person we are by allowing
us to exercise compassion, empathy and understanding but also by allowing us to
truly be ourselves. A true friend will
take all of you – good and bad – and forgive the shortcomings that will
inevitably surface throughout the relationship.
Friendships are one part of the glue that holds lives together and helps
us keep the faith that all will work out in the end. The important thing then is to remember that
a good friendship will always lift you up, while a bad one will often hold you
back. Recognizing the difference – well
sometimes, that’s the hardest part.

dedicated to all of my true friends out there - you know who you are and I thank you for being in my life...

Friendship

Friendship is one of those relationships that although we
all experience it, everyone has their own definition and understanding of
it. Interestingly enough, the dictionary
defines the word by using the term “friend”, which in and of itself brings to
mind again, many different feelings and descriptions. The term is used to characterize a common
bond that people share, one of concern and compassion for another human being.
People are drawn into friendships by a sense of kinship, camaraderie and
sameness but build lasting bonds based more on life experiences, interactions
and, to a degree, attractiveness.

My mother often said,
“Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.” I
believe this is truly the heart of the term – we surround ourselves with like
people or people with those qualities that we hope will rub off, those that we
ourselves would like to emulate. Our
friends help support us, yes, but they also help define us. They shape the very person we are by allowing
us to exercise compassion, empathy and understanding but also by allowing us to
truly be ourselves. A true friend will
take all of you – good and bad – and forgive the shortcomings that will
inevitably surface throughout the relationship.
Friendships are one part of the glue that holds lives together and helps
us keep the faith that all will work out in the end. The important thing then is to remember that
a good friendship will always lift you up, while a bad one will often hold you
back. Recognizing the difference – well
sometimes, that’s the hardest part.

dedicated to all of my true friends out there - you know who you are and I thank you for being in my life...